SFNL: Brandon Osborne’s last-gasp defensive effort has won Cranbourne another final

Brandon Osborne’s desperate effort on the last line of defence has steered Cranbourne to another tense finals win. He provides an insight on the final play. See the moment.

He’s done it again.

Brandon Osborne saved Cranbourne from semi-final heartbreak with yet another last-gasp defensive effort.

Dingley was coming at the Eagles like a freight train in the Southern league Division 1 qualifying final and were just inches away from a famous victory.

Unfortunately for the Dingoes, standing in their way was a desperate Osborne.

Osborne deprived Dingley’s Tom Morecroft from the winner with just seconds remaining, appearing to have pushed the ball away to effect the Dingley forwards’ ball drop.

Cranbourne won the match 9.7 (61) to 9.5 (59).

Cranbourne players sing the song. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

A “stressed” Osborne said his positioning and mindset at the stoppage in the dying stages was to deny his opponent of any room.

“I was trying to stick to my man, I was trying not to give him an inch,” he said.

“I was sticking right next to him, making sure the ball wasn’t going to him.

“I did not have too much time to think about it, I just saw the ball and tried my best to get my hands to it as quick as I could.

“It all happened pretty fast; I saw Darbo (Nick Darbyshire) went to mark it but it dropped, so he’s gone to punch it through and it came at us pretty quickly.

“It landed in my opponents hands, and I don’t know, I just saw the ball and tried to get it out of his hands.

“It happened so fast, I didn’t have time to think, instincts just kicked in.”

It was a difficult loss for Dingley. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Despite regularly saving the Eagles, Osborne said the clutch moments in games aren’t getting any easier.

“Simple answer: no,” he said with a laugh.

“I think the older I get, it’s getting more stressful.

“Hopefully it’s no more close wins like that, it would be nice.”

Eagles coach Steve O’Brien applauded Osborne with the highest of praise.

“He’s saved the day for us most weeks to be honest,” he said.

“I have been pretty open about this, I rate him as the best defender in local footy in my time, through actions similar to the one on the weekend.

“He never gives up, he just fights and fights and fights, he’s just a super player.

“He’s just a champion.”

Nick Darbyshire, Anthony Fischer, Jarryd Barker, Zak Roscoe and Jake Stephens were among the Eagles’ best.

For Dingley, while Lochie Benton and Nathan Freeman were at their usual best, ruckman Luke Frith was sublime, taking sole control of the ruck after Adam Lloyd off the ground injured early in the game.

The Dingoes will face a loser-out semi final with Port Melbourne Colts while Cranbourne meets Cheltenham for a place in the grand final.